The Legacy on Main Award is an award that recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Owens Meats has been named the 2025 Legacy on Main Award recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.

For more than 130 years, Owens Meats has been serving meat to families in Cle Elum and beyond. Likely the oldest continuously operated family business in Kittitas County and perhaps one of the oldest in the state, Owens Meats was founded in 1887 to provide quality food for coal miners and their families. Founder Morgan Owens saw firsthand how hard-working families needed reliable access to meat, often extending credit during tough times. Over the decades, new needs emerged—from refrigeration and sanitation to changing consumer habits and rural economic shifts.

Each generation of the Owens family has responded to these needs by evolving the business. During the Great Depression and coal strikes, the family supported struggling customers. In the 1980s, recognizing a shift in shopping habits, Owens Meats transitioned from freezer sales to retail, making meat more accessible (not to mention, the world’s first meat vending machine). The Owens family didn’t just witness these needs—they experienced them personally. Their business decisions reflect a deep understanding of and commitment to local families, agriculture, and economic resilience, shaped by more than 130 years of listening and responding.

“Owens Meats has expanded from a local butcher to a nationally recognized brand, with increased sales, a strong retail presence, and a growing network of vending machines. Generations of families continue to shop there, showing deep trust and tradition,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Their legacy showcases that long-term success comes from adapting to change without losing sight of your roots.” Durham presented the Legacy on Main Award to Don Owens, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony.